Recent acquisitions to the James Clavell Library & Archive
Posted: May 19, 2011 at 3:07 pm by admin
Regimental Sergeant Major Joyce Mary Skinner ATS
A large collection of military memorabilia including a scrapbook relating to her service with the City of London ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) which contains highly detailed photographs, badges and descriptions of the development of the role of the ATS during the Second World War. This is the most significant ATS collection the regiment now owns.
2nd Lt MLW Mears RA
A large collection of very interesting black and white photographs relating to his service in the Korean war with 45 Field Regiment RA which includes British, American and captured Korean equipment, allied and enemy positions, artistic mountain views and the local population.
33651 Gnr Arthur William Dyson RFA
Born in 1885, enlisted in 1904 and discharged no longer physically fit to serve his country on 28 February 1919. He served in Gallipoli, Egypt, Belgium and France, being first wounded in the face in 1916 he was wounded twice more before being categorised B3 and discharged. His First World War medals were never taken out of their packets and are in pristine condition.
Lt J McDonald
The seven medals awarded to him during 45 years of volunteer service, originally with the Cape Mounted Rifles, he continued with the South African Volunteer Artillery until the Second World War, when he retired home to Scot-land, where he promptly re-enlisted to serve again and finished the Second World War as a Lt with the Isle of Ely Home Guard.
Major (QM) John H Reynolds RA
A rare collection of named black and white group photographs from his service in Hong Kong in the 1950’s to Canada in 1974.
Afghan Uniform
A 2010 pattern “digi-cam” uniform issued to an Artillery Captain of the Afghan National Army, this example was given to Captain Chris Bulmer RA on his leaving his post as an instructor in the Afghan Artillery School, Kabul.
Iconic Woolwich Square to reopen by July
Posted: May 19, 2011 at 2:24 pm by admin
In June this year, Woolwich residents and businesses will be able to enjoy two completely redeveloped town centre squares. General Gordon Square will include a water feature, new terraces, seating and footpaths as well as new trees, shrubs and new lighting. Beresford Square will have a new layout for the market, space for new stalls, new seating and new street lighting. The level of some parts of the square is being changed in order to reduce the slope to maximize access for all users.
The makeovers are part of the £6.6m Woolwich Squares project, which is set to transform the town centre. The project is being funded through the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency, Transport for London and developers.
You can get more details by visiting the project office in the Woolwich Equitable building on the corner of General Gordon Square. Other developments in the pipeline are the completion of the Woolwich Centre during the summer months. It is a key part of the Council’s strategy to continue to drive out inefficiencies and improve service delivery.
The new Woolwich Centre will be a base for over 2,000 members of staff who will operate more closely and effectively. This will also enable the Council to work positively with its partners. The building will feature: an integrated service centre where residents can access a range of Council services, an expanded Woolwich Library, a business centre Greenwich Gallery and a public meeting and exhibition space.
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival presents ‘Giraffes’
Posted: May 19, 2011 at 1:55 pm by admin
On Saturday 2 July, don’t miss the massive, astounding Giraffes as they march through the Royal Arsenal. This is a free outdoor event celebrating the completion of the Woolwich Squares, the finale of this year’s Greenwich+Docklands International Festival brings Compagnie Off, one of the world’s leading street theatre companies to Woolwich with their magical outdoor spectacle ‘Giraffes’.
Featuring a herd of life-sized, animated crimson giraffes, a team of zoo keepers, a ringmaster and an opera diva, the production will move through Woolwich’s magnificent new squares in a procession accompanied by dazzling special effects and music, bringing this year’s Festival to a stunning climax.
Time: Around 9.30 pm in The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich
New text message fundraising service launched by Firepower
Posted: May 19, 2011 at 1:48 pm by admin
Firepower, the Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich is one of the first to use a new free text message service to raise funds
Firepower will be amongst the first charities in the country to use its own unique personalised text code to raise funds using JustTextGiving by Vodafone.
This is a brand new, free service for charities, has no set up fee or fundraising costs for charities, no network charges for people making donations and every penny donated goes to charity. Gift Aid can also be added to donations.
Supporters of Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum can make donations of up to £10 by texting the following code and amount they wish to donate to this number.
Text: 70070
Code: FIRE44 £10
Eileen Noon, Chief Operating Officer said: “This is a wonderful way for us to raise money as it’s speedy, simple and spontaneous. Most people have a mobile phone these days so we expect this to be very popular with our supporters.”
Coming Up at Firepower
Posted: May 19, 2011 at 12:43 pm by admin
May
What: School Holiday Activities
Where: Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum
When: Tuesday 31 May – Friday 3 June
Time: 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
June
What: Model Railway Show
Where: Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum
When: Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 June
Time: Saturday 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
Sunday 10.30 am – 4.00 pm
What: Gunners Today new permanent exhibition opens (Phase 1)
Where: Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich
When: From Thursday 16 June
Time: 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
What: 10th Anniversary Family Fun Day
Where: Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum
When: Saturday 18 June
Time: 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
What: Firepower Quiz Night
Where: Museum Café, The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich
When: Thursday 23 June
Time: 7.30 pm
July
What: Les Giraffes - part of the Greenwich & Docklands International Festival
Where: By Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum in the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich
When: Saturday 2 July
Time: 9.30 pm
Gunners Today exhibition announced
Posted: April 14, 2011 at 11:32 am by admin
A major new permanent exhibition focusing on the recent deployments of the Royal Artillery will be opened by Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum in mid June.
The exhibition, entitled Gunners Today, will be opened in three phases and the first will focus on the experiences of the men and women who served with the Royal Regiment of Artillery in Iraq from 2003 and in Afghanistan from 2001 to the present day. It will tell their stories using objects from medals to artillery pieces and most importantly, the words of the Gunners themselves. It will look at how they felt before going to war and the effect it had on them as well as their experiences in combat.
The personal equipment carried and worn by Gunners through the deployments will be examined and presented in a way that gives the ‘hardware’ on display within the Museum a human perspective. The personal experiences of Gunners in these challenging deployments will be presented in parallel with a commentary about the artillery technology the Gunners used in action and an overview of the strategy of the campaigns, how they were fought and how the Gunners trained for the deployments in very different terrains.
Fundraising is currently underway to complete the other two phases of the exhibition, which will tell the Gunner’s experiences during campaigns in Northern Ireland and the Falklands through to the first Gulf War and Kosovo and Bosnia.
To book tickets, call 0208 312 7134 or click here to book online.
Coming up in April, May and June
Posted: April 14, 2011 at 11:10 am by admin
April
What: School Holiday Activities
Where: Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum
When: Now until Thursday 21 April
Time: 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
What: Firepower Quiz Night
Where: Museum Café, The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich
When: Thursday 21 April
Time: 7.30 pm
May
What: Firepower Quiz Night
Where: Museum Café, The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich
When: Thursday 19 May
Time: 7.30 pm
June
What: Model Railway Show
Where: Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum
When: Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 June
Time: Saturday 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
Sunday 10.30 am – 4.00 pm
What: Gunners Today new permanent exhibition opens (Phase 1)
Where: Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum
When: From Thursday 16 June
Time: 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
What: 10th Anniversary Family Fun Day
Where: Firepower, The Royal Artillery Museum
When: Saturday 18 June
Time: 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
VC Winner Dances on Ice
Posted: April 14, 2011 at 10:55 am by admin
For those who may have seen Johnson Beharry’s recent plucky performances on Dancing on Ice on TV, remember that the guns that provided the metal from which his Victoria Cross was made are preserved at Firepower. The Museum has a fine display of Victoria Crosses and other medals too in its popular Medals Gallery.
Work is well underway for the Museum’s exciting new exhibition Gunners Today. The opening of Phase 1 of the exhibition on Thursday 16 June will be marked by displays from The Kings Troop and the Royal Artillery Band in the afternoon.
The Museum is open seven days a week from 10.30 – 5.00 pm during the School Holidays, and Wednesday – Sunday during term times.
Hop Along to Firepower for Easter this April
Posted: April 14, 2011 at 10:49 am by admin
In the weeks running up to Easter this year, Firepower is hosting a fantastic array of fun activities for the whole family. No two days are the same with loads of things to see and do. Take part in a military drill, watch film shows, fire a 25 pounder gun, learn about FOB defence, handle some real-life artillery kit and have a go on the bungee run.
When: Now – Thursday 21 April 2011
Time: 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
What’s on this Spring at Firepower!
Posted: March 15, 2011 at 1:04 am by admin
Spring has begun to show its face down here in the Royal Arsenal as we get ready for another great year of events, exhibitions and fun things to do at the Museum and in the local area.
Coming up in March…
Thursday 17 March
- Quiz Night @ The Museum Cafe
- 7.30 pm
Coming up in April…
Monday 11 – Thursday 21 April
- Easter Holiday School Activities
- Mon – Friday (except on Bank Holidays)
Thursday 21 April
- Quiz Night @ The Museum Cafe
- 7.30 pm
Coming up in May…
Saturday 14 May
- Community History Day @ Firepower
- Opens at 10.00 am
Saturday 14 May
- Museums at Night
- Open until 10.00 pm
Admission is FREE for Greenwich residents on Saturday 14 May. For more information on the Community History Day and Museums at Night Event, visit here.
